Improvement in percussion-cap holders



-T. B. LAMB.

Cap-Box.

Patented Nov, 3, 1 863.

about to be used.

THOMAS B. LAMB, OF HAMILTON, MICHIGAN.

IMPROVEMENT lN PERCUSSION-CAP HOLDERS- Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 10, 3 87, dated November 3,1863.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, THOMAS B. LAMB, of Hamilton, in the county of Gratiot and State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Safes for Percussion Gaps; andI do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which Figure l is a plan of my improved safe, showing the form of the case and percussionbox. Fig. 2 is "a plan of the same,.with the top half of the case'and the percussion-box removed, to show the parts within. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section of the safe, show ing the position of the case, the percussionbox, and the revolving plates with their studs, on which percussion caps are placed when Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several figures.

This invention consists in an improved style of percussion-cap safes, in which a revolving plate or wheel is provided with a series of studs on its circumference, on which studs percussion-caps are placed, the whole being illclosed within a suitable case, which case is made close and watertight, with the exception of a small hole or notch cut out of one edge, of sufficient size to permit the percussion-cap to be removed that is upon the stud exposed by such notch. The object of this arrangement is to facilitate the operation of placing percussion-caps upon any species of fire-arms when rapid firing is desirable, andalso to render it more certain that no percussion-caps be lost, as is often the case when a percussion-cap is being taken from an ordinary box during the excitement incident to the battle-field or other places where rapid firing is attempted.

This invention also consists in the peculiar manner of constructing the revolving plates and their studs, so that the latter are rendered flexible and are made to press upon the inner surface of the caps placed upon them, on which account the caps will not drop off the studs when brought over the opening or notch in the edge of the case.

This invention also consists in combining with such a revolving set of studs and cases that inclose them a common box, in which to place a larger supply of percussion-caps than could be conveniently placed upon the studs alone, so that before going into an action the indi-' vidual carrying fire-arms may take out from the common box a sufficicnt number of percussion-caps to place one upon each of the studs on the revolving plate. The percussion-caps are placed on the studs, one at a time, through the notch or opening in the case, and the studs are brought forward one by one by placing the finger upon thejone that is at the opening and pushing it away. This will cause the next one to occupy the place at the openin The same course may be pursued .in removing the percussion-caps.

To enable others skilled in the art-to make and use my invention, I will proceed to dc scribe its construction and operation. 1

A A AA A is a box or case formed of two circular plates formed somewhat oval, having their concave surfaces placed toward each other, and united at their circumferences by a narrow strap or rim, a a; or a flange may be formed on either or both of the said circular plates, instead of the said rim.

B is an ordinary box placed into and through an opening, D D, (see Fig. 1,) in the plate A AAof the caseA A A A A. The bottom B of the box B (shown in Fig. 3) stands just above a line drawn midway between the plates A A A and A A. Tlie cover B of the said box may be secured in any convenient manner that will be tight, to guard against moisture, and capable of being removed at pleasure.

O C is a flat circular plate formed of two pieces fastened together in the center, and hav ing notches cutout around their circumfen ence, leaving the projections 0 c c 0. (Shown in Fig. 2.) These projections are spread apart and formed into the shape shown at y g g in Fig. 3, so that they become studs 011 which the percussion-caps are placed. The plates 0 O are hung on a small pin, h, passing from the plate A A to the bottom B" of percussionbox 13. A small spring, i i, is placed between the studs and removed when needed to use.-

On the back of the case there is provided a strap or'loop, H, by means of which the same is secured by a belt, or otherwise, to the person who carries it. The operation of the safe audits use is as follows: It is secured in aconvenient position to the person by means of a belt or other appliance that passes through the loop or strap H. It is hung with the notch or opening cl downward, to prevent rain entering the inside of the same, which opening may be closed, if desired, by any suitable device or appliance for the purpose. Vhen a percussion-cap is wanted, the palm of the hand is placed against the side of the case, and with the forefinger the stud c, which is empty,- is pushed aside in the direction indicated by the darts, and the next stud is brought over the opening, and the cap is removed from it and placed upon the piece to be fired. The percussioncaps are placed upon the studs when the operator has time to spare. It will be seen that by this arrangement a person may be able to fire his piece much more rapidly than can be done where an ordinary cap-box is used, as the cap may be removed without looking, and it is always rightside up and ready for use.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of the revolving circular plate 0 G with studs 0 c c c, the case A A A A" A, and opening (Z, the whole operating substantially as and'for the purpose herein set forth.

2. In combination with such revolving circular plates, with their studs and the said case, the box B, with its cover B, substantially as herein described.

, 3. The peculiar manner of forming the studs by means of two circularplates fastened together in the center, having notches cut out around their circumference, so that one-half of each stud is formed from one plate and the other half from the other plate, and they are capable of adjusting themselvesto the size of the percussion-cap that may be placed upon them, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

THOS. B. LAMB.

\Vitnesscs:

ISAAC W. LAMB, J our. H. CRANSON. 

